My 13 wk old breast fed baby skipped her poopy diaper for the 2nd day in a row. Normal?

Question

Doctors say it's possible to do one day... But two :-/. She's eating and feeling good though.

Thanks for sharing

Wow, now I'm feeling better!

Answer 1

A fully breastfed baby can go up to 2 weeks (or occasionally even longer) between bowel movements. As long as when it does come, it's huge and soft, it is *not* the sign of a problem. My now-3-year-old used to have a dirty diaper about once a week, and one time (when we were traveling outside the country, of all times!!) went over 2 weeks. Yes, I worried that time, but everything was fine. But, *any* treatment for constipation--which she doesn't have--will do more harm than good.

It has *absolutely* nothing to do with what you are eating. Your diet--unless it's been truly horrendous for a number of years--does *not* affect the quality of your milk. In fact, women who have lived under near-starvation conditions for their entire lives *usually* have plenty of high-quality milk.

Breastfed babies just have less to eliminate than artificially fed babies. In some cases, they do this by having many tiny bowel movements (usually just a stain on the diaper), but in some cases, they have an occasional big one or very occasional *huge* one. All of the above are normal. Formula has more nutrients in it because the baby *can't* absorb them well; the leftovers end up in the diaper. Human milk is almost totally absorbed.

Answer 2

It probably wouldn't hurt to give your doctor a call just to make sure. If nothing else it can give you peace of mind. However I would recommend checking your diet. You should know that anything you eat is passed to your child through the breast milk. This means that if you're eating something that could constipate the baby... the baby is probably getting constipated. So when you call your doctor you should also ask for some dietary recommendations for yourself... remember... it's not just you that you're feeding now.

Two things...

First... Breast fed babies poop MORE not LESS than formula fed babies. There are MORE nutrients in the formula that the baby needs than in the breast milk, meaning that they use more and poop less. However... breast feeding is still the optimum way to feed your child if you know what you're doing.

Second... the Karo Syrup idea is EXCELENT.

Answer 3

I breastfeed I am still breastfeeding my second child. I have asked the doctor about this with both of my children. My youngest right now is 10 months and yes I am still nursing him. It is okay for a nursed baby to go 7 days without a bowel movement. If it makes you feel better to take the baby in do so. My doctor always tells me that. I have experienced that everytime I take my children in for this problem they go right after we leave the office. Also, formula babies should go everyday if they do not go in 2 days they need to be seen right away at the doctors office.

Answer 4

I nursed both of my sons for 2 years each and learned a lot about breast fed babies along the way. It is very normal for this to happen. Some babies who are breast fed can go a week without a bowel movement. If she is happy and feeling fine as long as she is urinating, there is nothing to worry about. Keep nursing; it's a wonderful thing!

Answer 5

Review your diet, there could be something that you've eaten that has affected her this way...cheese perhaps? If you have eaten something that is not a normal thing in your diet, this could be what is causing the problems.

If she is acting and feeling normal...then it's possible she is simply changing her routine. If you should see her straining to pass a bowel movement tho, check with the doctor for suggestions on how to either loosen the stool or help her to pass it easily.

Good luck, don't worry...it sounds like you have things under scrutiny...there is a formula that infants can drink for problems like this. You might also check with your local Pharmacy to see if they have any recommendations.

Answer 6

Breastfed babies often use all the milk as nutrients and so they don't have anything to poop. It is a really good sign that she is using your milk effectively and having this break for her bowels. I have breastfed 3 children and they all go through periods of this. It's just hard for formula feeding moms to understand because formula has so many things in it that the babies bodies can't digest so it ends up in a diaper. Best wishes

Answer 7

Well according to a current infomercial it is perfectly normal to go three days without a bowel movement, although if you use this new product you will have a black snake like cord of feces come out of you and you will need to literally reach down and pull it out. It was only $49.95 for a three month supply with a money back guarantee. I think most people on here asking questions should try it out.

Answer 8

My wife breastfed our 3 kids and not pooping for a week was normal. (Of course when it does come, it's a mess!) I agree with the person who said that any time you are not comfortable, call your doctor though. It will definately make you feel more relaxed which is the best place to be for a breastfeeding mom.

Answer 9

She may not be feeling good tomorrow. It is possible she could be getting too much iron in her diet, or she is dehydrated or not getting enough nutrition.

BUT, a baby's bowel movements will change as they get a little older...

Ask yourself this question:
Is the stooling more abundant than when she had BM's daily?

If her BM's are not more abundant, her diet may not be enough to sustain good growth, and you should set up an appointment soon.

Answer 10

DON'T listen to all the people telling you that this is a problem. Listen only to your pediatrician.

OUR pediatrician says that it's perfectly acceptable for a breast fed baby to go up to a week without pooping. Crazy, huh? But as long as she's hydrated, peeing, happy, alert, etc, it's actually not a problem.

If you're really concerned, you could try taking her temperature rectally. Sometimes the stimulation gets them to go. But I wouldn't, unless she seems uncomfortable.